Relaxed and Dementia Friendly Performances

Accessibility

Relaxed and Dementia Friendly Performances

A welcoming environment for all

Minor adjustments to a performance can make a big difference. We offer two types of less formal theatre performances - Relaxed and Dementia Friendly. 

Relaxed performances

  1. Against a black background, text reads 'Roald Dahl's The BFG'. 'Roald Dahl' is in white, with 'The BFG' in a magical, shimmering type with pink, purple, orange and teal glowing and blending throughout. The texture of the text is like a tree trunk or branch.

    Relaxed Performance: Roald Dahl's The BFG

    More info about Relaxed Performance: Roald Dahl's The BFG Book now
  2. Steven Pimlott building

    Early Years - Melody Circle (Spring Term 2026)

    Wednesday 14 January - Wednesday 25 March
    More info about Early Years - Melody Circle (Spring Term 2026) Book now
  3. A woman in a blue shirt sits on a wooden floor smiling, with her hands together. In front of her sits a blond baby in a white top, also smiling.
    Steven Pimlott building

    Little Notes (Spring 2026 - 6 to 18 months)

    Thurs 15 Jan - Thurs 26 March (Break Thurs 19 Feb)
    More info about Little Notes (Spring 2026 - 6 to 18 months) Book now

If you would benefit from a more laid-back environment - particularly if you are an autistic or neurodivergent person or have a learning disability - our Relaxed Performances are for you!

These performances include small changes to create a more comfortable environment. You're welcome to come and go during the show, we'll reduce the volume and keep our houselights at a low level so you're never completely in the dark.

At our Relaxed Performances we introduce the show and the characters, and highlight some of the moments that may make you jump or anxious. We have a chill-out area in the foyer so you can take a break, but still watch the show on a screen if you prefer.

 

You might also be interested in...

We also run SEN Sessions for our popular Santa's Grotto, designed to provide a calm, private experience for you and your family to meet Santa (and his cheeky elves.)

Santa waves from his red arm chair. He wears small spectacles, white gloves, a large red coat with fluffy white trims and has a long fuzzy white beard. Behind him is an assortmenyt of colourful drawer units, one drawer is open and a christmas tree rises out of it with warm lights on its branches.

Santa's Grotto - SEN Sessions

Find out more

Want to get to know the space before your visit? Take a look at our Visual Story for the Festival Theatre below

Relaxed Performances kindly sponsored by Wates Developments

Very impressed with the care and thought put into the relaxed performance, the introduction was really useful and the bean bags outside a good idea, thank you

Audience member, The Famous Five Relaxed Performance (2022)

Dementia Friendly Performances are designed for people living with dementia to enjoy with their families, friends and carers.

The performance includes small changes to create a more comfortable environment. You're welcome to come and go during the show, we'll reduce the volume and keep our houselights at a low level so you're never completely in the dark.

At our Dementia Friendly Performances, we do a little recap after the interval just to bring you up to speed before settling into the second act.

For more information email access@cft.org.uk or you can call the Box Office on 01243 781312

It was lovely to share the experience of going to the theatre with my husband who has Alzheimer's. This was a time we could have a normal life for a few hours.

Audience member, Crazy for You Dementia Friendly Performance (2022)

CFT Dementia Friendly activities kindly sponsored by George Ide LLP